She Cab tax services launched keeping in view the safety of women in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: In another step to make travelling safe for women, the Telangana transport department on Tuesday launched She Cabs, a taxi service provided by women for women. Male customers will be ferried only if at least a woman passenger accompanies them.

Transport minister P Mahender Reddy launched 10 She Cabs taxis. The transport department helped the women get finance and buy the vehicles, Maruti Swift Dzire cars, at subsidised rate. Till now, 18 applicants were approved for She Cabs.

"The She Cab tax service has been launched keeping in view the safety of women commuters. The driver will be a female. Male passengers can ride provided at least one female accompanies them. Only male passenger will not be allowed," transport commissioner Sandeep Sultania said.

The cars were fitted with security features like panic button, GPS and connected to police control room through GPS.

"Women development and child welfare department has provided 35% subsidy for the 10 vehicles under She Cab scheme and also released 10% margin money (Rs 82,500) per candidate,'' the officials said.

The government would not fix tariff and it would be left to the She Cab operators to decide for themselves. Though the transport department initially planned to run the She Cabs, especially for woman employees working in the IT corridor and the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA), the response from the applicants to operate the woman-only taxi service on these sectors was poor.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/She-cabs-arrive-in-Telangana-for-women-safety/articleshow/48878488.cms